If you are a travel enthusiast looking forward to scaling a trip to the Himalayas, it is essential to understand the seasons and the good time here. Nepal is a mesmerizing nation with so much to offer, and trying to squeeze the best out of the trip is a must for everyone. Spring in Nepal is a beautiful and colorful season that spans from March to May.
Here, the only way to make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience is to understand the preferable trekking season and plan the trip accordingly. Casually speaking, there is no such thing as the right time to go for an adventure or thrill, nor is there an appropriate itinerary for the whole trek, as it all depends on one’s preference and expectations.
However, the best seasons to start your travel in Nepal are during Spring and when Autumn starts. Yet again, all these conditions are also highly dependent on the location you are traveling to, the maximum altitude, crowd preference, and the tolerance to the weather conditions.
When you hit the base camp trek, it should be known that the weather in that region gets harsh during the cold, often making it impossible to scale. The very same reason also keeps the trails closed for travelers.
Base Camp Trekking Guide: Seasons In Nepal
As approved by many, Nepal is highly known for its trekking in diverse landscapes, biodiversity, and cultural richness. As you visit the nation, you will come across four seasons in Nepal, each known for its unique activities.
As we discuss the seasons in this article, we will also work to cover specific adventurous locations and their peak seasons.
Spring Trekking (March to May)
It is the most popular trekking season, and every trail is open for adventure. You can expect warmer temperatures, blossoming flora, and temperate days during this season. Yes, it adds vibrant texture to the landscapes and gives clear and sunny days.
Likewise, you can expect to blossom the giant rhododendrons above 3000 meters. It is also the paradise season for trekking due to the lush green surroundings and the extraordinary appearance of the wildflowers. This is why Spring is also called the Rhododendron’s season in trekking.
Furthermore, you can also expect the unhindered breathtaking backdrop and views of the Himalayas. In the meantime, you will also see wild animals and birds.
During the start of this season, you can expect mild temperatures and a bit of chilliness in the lower region (800 to 2,000 meters / 2,600 to 6,600 feet). As the Spring sets in, the lower part starts to get warmer while the higher elevation ( 4,000 meters / 13,000 feet) will experience moderate temperatures.
Merits Of Trekking During Spring
- Pleasant trekking conditions with warmer nights.
- Clear blue sky enables perfect views from the high points.
- Fewer flight cancellations due to nice weather and clear skies.
- Easy trekking trails due to snow melting in high altitudes as it clears the path.
- Fewer trekkers in remote areas.
- Colorful trekking trails with wildflowers and Rhododendrons.
Demerits Of Trekking During Spring
- Lower altitude treks get sweaty due to the hot temperatures.
- Common afternoon clouds may bring brief showers.
Recommended Trails During Spring
- Annapurna Region (Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Khopra Ridge Trek, Mardi Himal Trek)
- Langtang Region
- Everest Region (Everest View Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Gokyo Lake Trek)
Monsoon / Summer Trekking (June to August)
Usually, Summer in Nepal brings heavy rainfall and downpour most of the time. As Summer starts in May, the Monsoon starts in late May and can last till Mid-September. During this season, you will experience high temperatures, cloudy days, and slippery roads and trails.
Hence, due to the continuous rainfall, most areas will experience landslides and floods. Likewise, it will also make the routes slippery and causes several accidents. Though most of the trails are hindered, a few trekking routes can still be considered to take on the adventure.
Some enjoyable journeys would be sightseeing inside the valley and exploring the higher altitudes of Mustang, Lamjung, Gorkha, etc.
Merits Of Trekking During Monsoon / Summer
- Little to no crowd at all on the trekking trail.
- Lush vegetation and busy farmlands with livestock and farming activities.
- Opportunity to explore the Himalayan region protected from the Monsoon.
Demerits Of Trekking During Monsoon / Summer
- Muddy and slippery tracks due to the heavy rainfall.
- Wet and humid conditions will easily make you sick.
- Higher chances of landslides in the Hilly region while floods in the Terai region.
- Occasional thunder and lightning.
- Hiking trails are often filled with leeches.
Recommended Trails During Monsoon / Summer
- Upper And Lower Mustang Trek
- Upper Dolpo Trek
- Rara Lake Trek
- Limi Valley Trek
- Nar Phu Valley Trek
- Nar Phu Circuit Trek with Four Passes
- Phoksundo Lake Trek
Autumn Trekking (September to November)
Widely popularized as one of the best trekking seasons in Nepal, the Autumn season has tons to offer. From clear skies, moderate temperatures, long days, gentle sunshine, and crystal clear views, it is perfect.
As this season comes right after the Monsoon season, it gives a fresh breath of air. All the dust and dirt are washed away with the rain, which clears the atmosphere for perfect trekking conditions.
During the start of this season, you will be welcomed with a fresh atmosphere and no cloudy days. However, the temperature drops significantly towards the end of the season, bringing in the chills.
It is also the perfect season to witness Nepal’s significant festivals, such as Dashain and Tihar. During this season, it is as if Nepal has turned golden as the lush bushes turn yellow and the leaves turn red. By the end of this season in November, the leaves are entirely fallen.
Merits of Trekking During Autumn
- Clear skies with the undisturbed serene beauty of the mountains.
- Moderately warmer days and nights with stable temperatures.
- Opportunity to experience cultural festivals.
- No risk of heavy downpours.
Demerits Of Trekking During Autumn
- The trails are way more crowded with travelers due to the perfect trekking condition.
Recommended Trails During Autumn
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Langtang Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Everest View Tengboche Trek
- Pikey Peak Trek
- Gokyo Lake Trek
- Tsum Valley Trek
- Gosaikunda To Helambu Trek
Winter Trekking (December to February)
Winter is the harshest of all the seasons in Nepal to try and trek. Herewith numerous travelers find it challenging due to the freezing temperatures. During the season, the daytime temperature ranges from 9 to 12ºC (48 to 54ºF), and the temperature in the evening and night might also drop to sub-zero.
In addition to it, the winter mornings are generally foggy, with little to no clear views. At the same time, the mountain region experiences heavy snowfall, which may even result in avalanches at times. Due to this exact reason, the higher altitude trails are closed and are off-limits to trekking in this particular season.
Some of such closed trails are Thorong La (5,416 meters / 17,769 feet) in the Annapurna region, and the Kongma La (5,545 meters / 18,192 feet), Cho La (5,335 meters / 17,503 feet), and Renjo La (5,420 meters / 17,782 feet) in the Everest region. In addition to that, most trekkers avoid adventures this season, and you will only see fewer travelers.
Merits Of Trekking During Winter
- Few trekkers on the trail.
- Usually clear skies during the day.
- Snow-covered pristine mountains serve as an excellent backdrop for photography.
- Play with the fresh snow in the hills.
Demerits Of Trekking During Winter
- Due to heavy snowfall, the higher-altitude treks are inaccessible.
- The cold and harsh temperature makes trekking hard.
- Foggy tracks block the view that your trails offer.
- Risk of avalanches in high altitude.
Recommended Trails During Winter
- Langtang Trek
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Tamang Heritage Trek
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- Khopra Danda Trek
- Jomsom Muktinath Trek
- Pikey Peak Trek
- Annapurna Family Trek
- Langatng Gosaikunda Trek
- Helambu Valley Trek
- Everest View Trek
- Dhampus Sarangkot Trek
Weather Conditions And Temperature In Nepal
Nepal portrays three geographical divisions; the Himalayas, Hills, and Terai. Each of these geographical distributions presents different series of temperatures.
During the Spring and Autumn, you will experience an average temperature of 17ºC in the Himalayan zone. Likewise, its average temperature during Summer / Monsoon gets around 20°C while the average temperature in Winter is just 7°C.
Similarly, the Hilly region of Nepal experiences an average temperature of 25°C during Spring and 20 to 35°C during the Summer / Monsoon season. Its average temperature during Autumn is around 15ºC and 12ºC during the Winter.
Lastly, in Terai, you will experience an average temperature of 37℃ and 45℃ in some places during the hot Summer days. Likewise, as the Winter steps in, the average temperature gets around 15℃ and 40℃.
In A Nutshell
When you embark on your trekking journey, the Autumn (September, October, and November) and Spring (March, April, and May) seasons are the ideal days. These two seasons are also known as the high seasons due to their rewarding environmental conditions.
The shoulder season refers to the beginning or tail end of high-season times. The days during this season are often challenging. Lastly, there is the low season, generally the Winter and Monsoon seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can trek in Nepal during summer, but it may not be the best time. The summer months in Nepal (June-August) are also the monsoon season, which means there is a lot of rainfall, and the trails can be muddy and slippery. The visibility may also be limited due to clouds and fog. It’s essential to be prepared for the rain, bring proper gear, and check weather forecasts before starting your trek.
July is not the best time to trek in Nepal as it falls during the monsoon season. There is heavy rainfall, and the trails can be muddy and slippery, which makes trekking challenging.